Alonso de Oñate, 1604 
411 
have been asked for the said expedition to New Mexico, and some arms. 
It has seemed proper that I should inform you of it, and that, notwith¬ 
standing all this, you shall observe and carry out what I ordered you in 
my decree done on May 26 of the past year of 1603, which was delivered 
to you before your departure, and in which you were given authority for 
the liberation and execution of the said expedition to New Mexico, so 
that, after informing yourself of the state in which it was and what might 
have resulted from the investigation into the faults of Don Juan de Oñate, 
you might take such steps as would appear right to you in order that 
the purpose which is sought in that expedition may be accomplished, ar¬ 
ranging it to the best advantage of the service of God and mine. You 
will do thus and inform me of everything that was done. Valencia, Janu¬ 
ary 21, 1604. I the King. Etc. 
[Instruction of the Council. Valladolid, February 23, i6o4.\ 
On the part of Don Alonso de Oñate it has been reported to the Council 
that among the soldiers 66 —musketeers and ship-builders—whom he has 
enlisted to go to New Spain for the expedition to New Mexico, there are 
some married men with wives and children, especially among the ship¬ 
builders, and that it was desirable that those who were married should take 
their wives and children, in order to settle there. He has petitioned that 
permission be given for it, and it is the opinion of the Council that the 
married men among the said soldiers and ship-builders should be per¬ 
mitted to take their wives and children with them, and you will do thus, 
after ascertaining that they are such, and will not permit them to go 
without them, making certain also that they do not belong to the class of 
people who are prohibited from going to the Indies. Valladolid, Febru¬ 
ary 23, 1604. Signed by the Council. 
[Decree of the Council. Valladolid, July ip , 1604.] 
On the part of Don Alonso de Oñate report has been made to the Coun¬ 
cil that, after he has hastened here to make arrangements for the despatch 
of the ship which was to carry to New Spain the forty men 67 —muske¬ 
teers and professional ship-builders—and two pilots, for the expedition to 
New Mexico, because it is not permitted that any merchandise shall go 
in it he cannot find any master or owner of a ship who is willing to take 
it empty, unless he pays for the provisioning, which he cannot do because 
the cost is so great. Accordingly he has petitioned that he be given per¬ 
mission for the said ship to carry some merchandise or products of the 
country, for they must pay . . . excise tax and duties that are due in the 
Indies. It has been decided to arrange for your Majesty and the official 
judges, as it appears that there is no difficulty of any consequence in the 
